SHC issues notice to DAG for July 6 in Geo case

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday issued notice to Deputy Attorney General (DAG) on petition of Independent Media Corporation (IMC) against non-restoration of Geo News transmission despite lapse of suspension order of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra). The petitioner submitted that Pemra had ordered its regional managers to restore the transmission of Geo News on June 20 after the expiry of the suspension order imposed by the Pemra on Geo TV on June 6.

Petitioner counsel Saim Hashmi submitted that the respondents M/s World Call telecom, Pemra and Ministry of Information did not comply with the orders of the Pemra and broadcast of the Geo News remained suspended till filing of the petition. He submitted that blocking the transmission of the Geo News was the violation of the Supreme Court and High Court’s orders that restrained the Pemra and cable operators from blocking or interfering in the smooth transmission of the Geo News. The court was prayed to direct the respondents to restore the Geo News transmission at its position as it was on April 19, 2014 and restrain them from blocking or interfering with the transmission of the Geo News. SHC’s division bench headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi after preliminary hearing of the petition issued notices to the deputy attorney general for July 7.